WASHINGTON — Ellicott City continues its upswing from the devastating flood that ravaged the city in July and named a former Howard County fire chief as its recovery project manager.

[related_gallery align=”right”]Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman appointed Joseph Herr, who was the county’s fire chief from 2000 to 2009, as the Ellicott City Recovery Project Manager.

“This project called out for someone with Joe’s background and intimate knowledge of Ellicott City,” said Kittleman in a release. “Joe knows the fabric of the community and what Historic Ellicott City means to people around here.”

Kittleman also scheduled a Recovery Town Hall meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at Veterans Elementary School on Montgomery Road. Residents will be updated on the recovery efforts and will have a chance to ask project leaders questions.

Howard County officials plan to reopen Ellicott City to pedestrian traffic by Sept. 16, weather permitting.